ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rural healthcare
“Public Health and Hospitals” being a State subject the primary responsibility of implementation of various health care schemes including National Health Mission lies with respective States.
The Ministry is continuously monitoring the implementation of their National Programmes & giving the required guidance to States/ UTs from time to time. States/UTs are being provided required technical and financial assistance for managing the COVID-19 Public Health Challenge from time to time.
All the States/ UTs are provided with necessary financial support under India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package, with flexibility to use the resources based on their context and priorities. During FY 2020-21, funds of Rs 4256.81 crore have been released to the States/ UTs as on 10.09.2020.
“Public health and hospitals” being a State subject, the primary responsibility of ensuring the availability of doctors at public health facilities lies with the respective State governments.
To address the healthcare challenges, particularly in rural areas, the National Rural Health Mission  was launched in 2005 to supplement the efforts of the State/UT governments to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all those who access public health facilities. Currently, NRHM is a sub-mission of National Health Mission .
NHM support is provided to States/ UTs for setting up of new facilities as per norms and upgradation of existing facilities for bridging the infrastructure gaps and to fill up the vacancies of Human Resource on contractual basis based on the requirement posed by them.
The States are also encouraged to adopt flexible norms for engaging specialists for public health facilities. These include ‘contracting in’ and ‘contracting out’ of specialist services and engaging specialists outside the government system for service delivery at public facilities under NHM.
States have also been allowed to offer negotiable salaries to attract Specialists including flexibility in strategies such as ''You quote, we pay".
Financial support is also provided to States for providing hard area allowance, performance-based incentives, providing accommodation and transport facilities in rural and remote areas, sponsoring training programmes, etc to engaged human resources to address the issue of shortage of doctors and specialists in the public health facilities.
The Minister of State , Sh Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 620
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 217.94 Crore
More than 10 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 217.94 Crore  today. More than 10 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10415081
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10117932
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6998218
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18436609
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17715337
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13606619
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
40971571
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
31607999
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61927363
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
53000800
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
561225653
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
515564447
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
92007770
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
204021015
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
196920225
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
47404548
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127663021
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
123110912
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
46712705
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1024660313
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
948037652
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
206729860
|
|
Total
|
|
2179427825
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 27th September, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
13
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
147
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6120
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
30
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
447
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9615
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12198
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
26158
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3741
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12700
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9685
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
37704
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
601936
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1587
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7863
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
244856
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1346
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5749
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
107559
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
28600
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
90768
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
970086
|
|
Total
|
|
1089454
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Communications
Extension of last date to receive counter comments on TRAI’s Consultation Paper on ‘Regulatory Mechanism for Over-The-Top  Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services’
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  released a Consultation Paper on 'Regulatory Mechanism for Over The-Top  Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services' on 07.07.2023. The last date for receiving written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper invited from stakeholders was fixed as 04.08.2023 and for counter comments by 18.08.2023.
On the request of stakeholders for extension of time for submission of comments, the last date for submission of written comments and counter comments was extended up to 18.08.2023 and 01.09.2023, and thereafter up to 01.09.2023 and 15.09.2023 respectively.
Keeping in view the request of an industry association for extension of time for submission of counter comments, it has been decided to extend the last date for submission of counter comments up to 29.09.2023.
The counter comments may be sent to Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor , TRAI, preferably in electronic form at advmn@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor , TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-23210481.
Prime Minister's Office
Valedictory Session of Assistant Secretaries: IAS Officers of 2016 batch make presentations to PM
As part of their Valedictory Session as Assistant Secretaries, IAS officers of the 2016 batch today made presentations before the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
8 selected presentations were made by the officers, on themes such as raising farm incomes, soil health cards, grievance redressal, citizen-centric services, power sector reform, tourist facilitation, e-auctions, and smart urban development solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted that the Assistant Secretaries programme offers the junior-most and senior-most officers the opportunity to interact with each other. The Prime Minister encouraged the young officers to imbibe the best from the experiences that they would have had, during their attachment to various Ministries as part of this programme. He exhorted the young officers to keep in mind the expectations that people have from Government, and to do their best to fulfil those expectations, in whatever positions they serve in, during their career.
The Prime Minister encouraged the officers to develop a connect, with the people around them, and with the people they serve, in course of their duties. He said that developing a close rapport with people, is one of the keys to achieving success in their tasks and objectives.
The Prime Minister appreciated the presentations made by the young officers.
Ministry of Science & Technology
A Rs. 3.6 crore grant to promote research on pigmentary disorder
Studies to understand the problem of pigmentary disorders is expected to get a major shot in the arm with Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance conferring an Intermediate Fellowship Award on Dr. Rajender K. Motiani, Assistant Professor at Faridabad-based Regional Centre for Biotechnology. The award consists of a grant of Rs 3.60 crore for a period of five years.
Physiological pigmentation is a critical defense mechanism by which skin is protected against harmful UV radiations. Inefficient pigmentation predisposes to skin cancers, which are one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Further, pigmentary disorders  are considered a social stigma and therefore they impart long-term psychological trauma and tremendously hamper mental well-being of patients. The current therapeutic strategies are not efficient in alleviating pigmentary disorders.
The research project to be taken up under the award would seek to identify novel targetable molecular players that critically regulate pigmentation process. Further, the researchers would try to repurpose commercially available drugs for treatment of pigmentary disorders. In long run, this project is expected to have a two pronged benefits for society - protection from UV-induced skin cancers and potential treatment options for pigmentary disorders.
So far, the focus in the pigmentation biology field has been to understand the enzymes regulating melanin synthesis and on the melanosome proteins involved in their biogenesis and maturation. However, melanosome biogenesis and melanin synthesis are complex phenomenon and other cellular organelle could potentially regulate this process.
Studies conducted by Dr. Motiani and his team on differentially pigmented melanocytes earlier have indicated that Endoplasmic Reticulum  and Mitochondria are critical regulators of pigmentation. The aim of the new project is to delineate the role of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria signaling pathways in pigmentation and to identify the key Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondrial proteins that regulate pigmentation. They would then target these signaling cascades with FDA approved drugs to know whether any known drugs could be repurposed for alleviating pigmentary disorders too.
Special Service and Features
Water hyacinth posing threat to cage fish farming; KVK creates awareness among fish farmers
Kochi: While water hyacinth  is increasingly posing threat to cage fish farming enterprises in the backwaters, the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra  has stepped in to create awareness on this menace among the fish farmers in the district.
Unlike the usual trend of decaying by October, this time the aquatic plant is still seen rampant in the backwaters following extended monsoon and release of water from dams. Normally, it dominates the water body during July to August along with Monsoon run-off water and begins to decay as the salinity levels in the waters increase.
“The plant emerges a threat mostly to cage aquaculture as it considerably reduces water flow in fish cages installed in the backwaters and thereby the oxygen level is reduced in farms leading to fish kill. This is a troubling situation for the fish farmers who heavily depend on cage farms as their lone livelihood option”, said Dr Shinoj Subramanian, Head of KVK. Water hyacinth also acts as a breeding ground for parasites and other hazardous organisms that cause diseases to fish, he added.
In order to tackle this issue, the KVK functioning under the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  launched an awareness campaign on ill-effects of water hyacinth on fish production and the method of removing them from the water bodies. In line with the campaign and as part of Swatchtha Pakhwada, a massive cleaning drive was conducted at Ezhikkara by engaging young fish farmers to remove the plants from an area of 2 acres.
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PIB Headquarters
Thiruvananthapuram Division’s Dak Adalat on December 22nd
Thiruvananthapuram South Postal division’s Dak Adalat will be held at Thiruvananthapuram South Divisional Office on December 22nd at 3 PM. Complaints if any against the services rendered by the offices in the Thiruvananthapuram South Division may be forwarded to the address “Shri. B Padmakumar, Superintendent of Post Offices, Thiruvananthapuram South Division, Thiruvananthapuram-695036” on or before 15-12-2017. The cover containing complaints should be super scribed as ‘DAK ADALAT’.
Earlier complaints received at customer care centers or Division level, which are not settled till the date only will be considered at DAK ADALAT.
GK ERL: 312
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Ministry of Defence
Malicious claim of a press report regarding return of Shaurya Chakra awards aimed at damaging reputation of defence forces
A regional language newspaper, in its report, published on December 15, 2020, claimed that 25,000 awardees of Shaurya Chakra have returned the medals in support of the farmers’ agitation.
This is completely false, utterly baseless and malicious in nature and aimed at damaging reputation, honour and pride of our valiantdefence forces. In fact, between 1956 to 2019, the actual number of Shaurya Chakras awarded stood at 2,048.
Media is advised to exercise caution, verify facts and desist from publishing such blatantly false and malicious news.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar calls on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discusses a wide range of State issues related to DoPT, including placement of All India Services officers and other matters
Dr Jitendra Singh acknowledged the serious crunch of officers in Haryana and directed the Secretary, DoPT to take urgent measures to sort out the issues
Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar today called on Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed a wide range of State issues related to Department of Personnel & Training , including placement of All India Services officers and other matters.
Manohar Lal Khattar pointed out that there would be severe shortage of IAS officers by the end of this year as 7 Direct Recruits and 7 Promotee Officers will superannuate in 2022. He said, due to Central Deputation of officers and low intake of officers at the State Cadre, the State is facing some governance problems.
Haryana Chief Minister brought to the notice of Dr Jitendra Singh that there are 50 odd departments in the State which need experienced officers at the helm. He said, at present he is managing by assigning 2-3 departments to a single officer, leading to unnecessary and unfeasible workload.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also Minister In-charge DoPT, acknowledged the serious crunch of officers in Haryana and directed the Union Secretary, DoPT to give due consideration to all these issues and examine what best can be done.
Dr Jitendra Singh also assured the Chief Minister that cases of extension of service on a 6-month basis will be considered, till the shortage is addressed on a regular basis. He also promised to give due consideration for repatriation of some of the officers from Central Deputation.
The Chief Minister also requested the Union Minister to follow up with the Central Government the progress of some of the other proposals of projects in Haryana. The Union Minister in return said that his office will take due cognizance of this.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Panchayat Development Index
Committee has been constituted for Preparation of Panchayat Development Index  which includes members from different ministries/departments of Government of India and State Governments Local Indicators Framework on 9 themes of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals has been prepared for developing the measures of Panchayat Development Index and other SDGs progress. No State/ UT including Jammu & Kashmir specific local indicators are developed for formulation of PDI.
The Ministry has been implementing scheme for capacitating elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Government has approved revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan for implementation from 2022-23 to 2025-26 with the focus on Capacity Building and Training of elected representatives and functionaries to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
NITI Aayog
Women Entrepreneurship Platform - NITI Aayog State Workshop on Women-Led Development: A Resounding Success in Goa!
The inaugural edition of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform  – NITI Aayog State Workshop Series on Enabling Women-led Development through Entrepreneurship was organized at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography  Auditorium, Goa on 3rd October 2023. The workshop was held in collaboration with the Government of Goa with a focus on the western region of the country.
The workshop recorded over 500 participants, including women entrepreneurs, local self-help groups  and clusters, government officials, industry representatives, incubators/accelerators, financial institutions, philanthropic foundations, and more. The primary focus was deliberating on a hub-and-spoke model aimed at extending women-led development to grassroots levels, covering the last mile. Eminent dignitaries, including Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, and Shri B.V.R Subramanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, graced this landmark workshop.
Dr Pramod Sawant, Honorable Chief Minister, Government of Goa, stated that the Goa State Vision 2047 will be prepared with help from NITI Aayog. Celebrating the three-year milestone of the Swayampurna Goa initiative, Dr. Sawant emphasized its focus on skill development and the deployment of "Swayampurna Grameen Mitras" for the doorstep delivery of government services in every block and Panchayat. Furthermore, the Chief Minister reiterated the role of women in socio-economic progress, announcing the Swayampurna e-bazaar during Dussehra, aimed at expanding market access through Common Service Centres.
Highlighting NITI Aayog's mandate for cooperative federalism, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasized the pivotal role of states in driving the nation's growth. He emphasized three key priorities: maintaining the employment-to-education ratio, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and restructuring the workforce
NITI Aayog CEO, B. V. R. Subrahmanyam, reaffirmed the central government's unwavering commitment to women-led development as the top priority. He underscored NITI Aayog's support in assisting state governments to set up institutions like itself in each state “It need not necessarily be a separate institution; it could be a department or an existing body. But just make it the central point to think and plan for the future. Its staff should not be engaged in any other work,” he said while urging states to tap the expertise at NITI Aayog.
A series of new collaborations were announced to support women entrepreneurs. Key highlights are the partnership between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India  and NITI Aayog; the launch of Udyam Uplift - an initiative of CAxpert to strengthen compliance among women-led businesses and the launch of the first two cohorts under WEP’s Award to Reward initiative. The first ATR cohort led by WEP Partners Microsave Consulting and SIDBI titled WEP-Unnati is accepting applications from green entrepreneurs pan-India. The second cohort titled WeNurture would be led by Atal Incubation Centre - Goa Institute of Management.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Swastha Mann, Swastha Ghar
Health Melas to be organized at all 1.56 Lakh Ayushman Bharat – Health & Wellness Centres on 14th of every month
Cycle Events will be organized tomorrow at all AB-HWCs and LHMC, New Delhi to enhance awareness surrounding physical and mental well-being and environment friendly conveyance
Cycling is one of the best ways to keep our body healthy, fit & active: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
"Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel, but ride!"
As part of the ongoing “Swastha Mann, Swastha Ghar” campaign launched last year to enhance awareness surrounding healthy living, Health Melas will be organized on 14th of every month in 1.56 lakh Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre  across the country. Activities like Yoga, Zumba, Teleconsultation, Nikshay Poshan Abhiyan, Non-Communicable Diseases screening and Drug Distribution, Sickle Cell Disease screening will be undertaken as part of these countrywide health melas.
In sync with this, a Cycle Event will be organized on 14th February 2023 at all AB-HWCs in the form of Cyclathon, Cycle Rally or Cycle for Health to promote and enhance awareness surrounding physical and mental well-being and environment friendly conveyance.
In Delhi, a Cyclathon will be organized with the theme, ‘Cycle for Health’ at Lady Hardinge Medical College. An area in the premises of the hospital will be dedicated as a Cycle Stand.
Giving a shout out to all health and cycling enthusiasts, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya urged all citizens to participate in the mega cycling event at their nearest AB-HWC.
"Cycling is one of the best ways to keep our body healthy, fit & active.”
“Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel, but ride!", Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated.
“Swastha Mann, Swastha Ghar” is a year-long campaign from November 2022 to October 2023. It will promote the theme of Health and Wellness to commemorate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ . This is in line with the new National Health Policy, 2017 that focuses on preventive and promotive healthcare and the Fit India Movement, 2019 which aims to make fitness and healthy living an integral part of our daily lives.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Tax Exemptions to Indian Exporters
In the current Goods and Services Tax regime, exports are zero rated to ensure that the goods produced in India for exports are not disadvantaged due to the domestic tax burden and stay competitive internationally.
Further, Under the Foreign Trade Policy, Duty Exemptions Schemes ensure that inputs imported/locally procured for use in the export products are either exempt from duties ab-initio, or the taxes are refunded to the exporters in the form of drawback after exports. Under the current Foreign Trade Policy, there are two duty exemption schemes, namely, Advance Authorization scheme and the Duty Free Import Authorization scheme.
The details of exemptions for last three years under Advance Authorization Scheme and Duty Free Import Authorization Scheme are as under:
|
|
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
Number of Authorizations issued
|
|
Number of Authorizations issued
|
|
Number of Authorizations issued
|
|
Advance Authorization Scheme
|
|
22853
|
|
21505
|
|
23042
|
|
Duty Free Import Authorization Scheme
|
|
581
|
|
815
|
|
1321
The duty exemptions under the Schemes ensure competitiveness of Indian exports in international markets and are compliant with India’s international commitments.
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.